New York Homeowners to Get School Property Tax Relief This Summer: STAR Checks Up to $1,500

New York homeowners will see school property tax relief hit this summer, thanks to the state’s School Tax Relief (STAR) program.

With more than $2 billion in total benefits going out to nearly 2.8 million households, many owners of primary residences will see meaningful savings on their school tax burden—some as high as $1,500.
 

How the STAR program cuts your school property taxes

The STAR program is designed to lower school property tax costs for eligible New York homeowners. Instead of being a one-size-fits-all relief, STAR offers different benefit levels depending on your situation:

• Basic STAR

  • Available to most eligible homeowners under certain income limits.

  • Typical savings: about $350 to $600 off school property taxes.

• Enhanced STAR

  • Targeted to qualifying seniors (generally age 65 or older) who meet stricter income requirements.

  • Typical savings: about $700 to $1,500, making it the largest break for older homeowners on fixed incomes.

This means that while millions will get relief, the exact amount varies based on the type of STAR benefit and local school tax rates.
 

When homeowners will see relief

STAR benefits have already started going out and will continue through the summer and into the fall. The timing depends largely on where you live and your school district’s tax schedule.

• Homeowners in areas like New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse often see relief earlier, because those districts issue school tax bills sooner.

• Other districts may see STAR reductions or checks later as their local billing cycles kick in.

If you’re a homeowner, this summer is when you should start watching for either a lower school tax bill or a STAR credit payment.
 

How the relief shows up: tax bill vs. check or deposit

Not every homeowner experiences STAR the same way. The relief can come in two main forms:

• STAR exemption (older system)

  • Your school property tax bill is directly reduced; the savings are built into the bill.

  • You don’t get a separate check—you simply owe less in school taxes.

• STAR credit (newer system)

  • The state sends the benefit to you, usually as:

    • a paper check, or

    • a direct deposit into your bank account if you’ve enrolled for that option.

If you want to see money sooner and avoid mailing delays, signing up for direct deposit through New York’s official homeowner benefit portal can help ensure STAR credits land in your bank account quickly.
 

Who can expect property tax relief this summer?

The STAR program focuses on owner-occupied primary residences. Generally, you may qualify if:

• You own your home and live in it as your primary residence in New York.

• Your income falls within the state’s limits for Basic or Enhanced STAR.

• For Enhanced STAR, at least one owner or spouse meets the age requirement (typically 65+) and residency rules.

Your final savings depend on:

• Whether you’re enrolled in Basic STAR or Enhanced STAR.

• Your school district’s tax rate and how it calculates STAR relief.

• Your property’s assessed value and local exemption rules.

This summer, millions of homeowners will get some level of school property tax relief—but higher amounts (up to about $1,500) are generally reserved for those in Enhanced STAR.
 

How to check if you’re getting relief

If you want to confirm whether property tax relief is headed your way:

• Review your school property tax bill to see if a STAR exemption is applied.

• If you’re in the STAR credit program, watch for a check or direct deposit from the state.

• Visit New York’s official STAR program information channels to:

  • check your benefit status,

  • confirm enrollment in Basic or Enhanced STAR, and

  • update direct deposit details.
     

Bottom line: Don’t overlook this summer’s tax break

This summer, New York’s STAR program is delivering school property tax relief across the state, with most homeowners seeing hundreds of dollars in savings and eligible seniors potentially receiving up to $1,500.

For many households, that means a lighter school tax bill and a bit more room in the budget for other expenses.

If you haven’t checked your status yet, now is the time to review your enrollment and make sure you’re getting all the property tax relief you qualify for.

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